1997 Ford Explorer Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$20,610 to $35,530

Original MSRP

--

expert review

3.9

avg user rating

(42 reviews)
1997 Ford Explorer Preview summaryImage

New options on the 1997 Ford Explorer offered buyers of America's most popular SUV more choices under the hood. In addition to the 4.9 liter, 210-horsepower V-8 engine introduced in 1996, the '97 Explorer also came off the line with an optional single overhead cam 4.0 liter V-6 which delivered 205 horsepower.

Agility was also a selling point for the '97 Ford Explorer: real all-wheel drive was available for the first time on the Eddie Bauer and Limited trims. In addition to those higher-end trim selections, the 1997 Explorer was offered in Sport, XL, and XLT trims, with a choice of two-door and four-door body styles.

Fuel efficiency wasn't bad by sport-utility vehicle standards: 14 to 18 mpg city, 17 to 23 mpg highway, depending on model, engine, and bodystyle, were the EPA's estimates. The Ford Explorer continued to outsell other vehicles in its class because of its affordability, durability, and superior cargo capacity.

Some drivers love this workhorse for toting the family around; others like to take the four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions on off-road adventures. Either way, the 1997 Ford Explorer has lasting appeal.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 1997 Ford Explorer

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User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 06, 2024
most excellent, really good, top rating ... would buy again and againJan 06, 2024
by Randy K
Feb 04, 2012
Crappy gas mileage with the V-8, has full time 4WD. B.F. Goodrich All Terrain Radial T/A's on it, darned expensive tire, nearly $200 each. Finish wearing off aluminum alloy rims, not impressed. Has moonroof, has leaked, headliner all stained. No rust. Only 85,000 (supposedly) miles. Very rusty undercarriage (New York car)Added a leaf in each rear spring, saggy butt. Welded a crack in the catalytic converter shut, dumb thing has 4 catalytic converters at $200 each, and two mufflers. Over $1000 exhaust system on a $3500 truck. Leather interior nice, has the AM/FM/Casette/6 CD changer radio, crappy AM reception. Wish it had posi-trac like the last one I had.Feb 04, 2012
by Rafael A
Dec 14, 2011
the best well spent 3000 bucks!!! I bought this used in 2007 and it worked great. Given the circumstances that it seems that it was crashed and fixed before selling it to me, It was very durable and trusty. I sold it a week ago... almost cried, hopefully next owner will restore her and have some fun.Dec 14, 2011

1997 Ford Explorer Pricing

Original MSRP
$20,610 to $35,530
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-only

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-only

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-only

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-only

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: captains chairs

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth

Tires and Rims

Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Exterior Features

Paint: two-tone

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth

Tires and Rims

Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

See all trims (15)